Dad,
I don't have a ton to write about this week but it actually went pretty
smooth. On Wednesday, we went to the Temple with the Departing
Missionaries which is always great. It is a privilege to go once a
transfer because our mission rule is once every 6 months. Zeph is
doing well and his baptism is for this Thursday. We are hoping to
finish up the lessons quick and have him be ready. He is excited and
will be great!
I am not 100 percent sure with my release date but I can send
a picture that might help. I am jealous you were with Uncle Ernie and
Aunt Fran. That would be so fun to talk and catch up, especially after
serving a mission.
I love you Dad. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Westover
Monday, March 30, 2015
Monday, March 23, 2015
Hello Everybody,
This was one of those crazy weeks! We were booked with tons of
meetings and it kept us pretty busy during our days. Tuesday - Friday
we had a Specialized Training from 9am - 4pm. We took two zones each
day and did some training on The Book Of Mormon, planning, and iPad
use. We taught the planning section and I thought overall we did well.
I won't lie, it's hard to teach an engaging lesson on planning for and
hour and a half but somehow we did it. Its been a big relief to have
finished that training.
Zeph is still progressing! He recently got a job and since he is new,
they asked him to come and do some training on Sunday. We had a lesson
with him last night and told him that he needed to be at church on
Sundays. We promised him that God would help provide a way so that he
could be there. The gospel has really started to change him and he
promised to do all he could to be there. Pray for him this week and
that something will turn up!
I am excited for the upcoming week. On Wednesday, we get to go to the
temple with the departing missionaries. Thursday is Return and Report
for the new missionaries and trainers. Friday is Mission Leadership
Council. Staying busy is always a good thing, but I am really starting
to feel very tired every day. Its amazing that somehow I feel
refreshed and energized from the day to day work. The grace of Jesus
Christ is a real power!
Love ya!
Elder Westover
This was one of those crazy weeks! We were booked with tons of
meetings and it kept us pretty busy during our days. Tuesday - Friday
we had a Specialized Training from 9am - 4pm. We took two zones each
day and did some training on The Book Of Mormon, planning, and iPad
use. We taught the planning section and I thought overall we did well.
I won't lie, it's hard to teach an engaging lesson on planning for and
hour and a half but somehow we did it. Its been a big relief to have
finished that training.
Zeph is still progressing! He recently got a job and since he is new,
they asked him to come and do some training on Sunday. We had a lesson
with him last night and told him that he needed to be at church on
Sundays. We promised him that God would help provide a way so that he
could be there. The gospel has really started to change him and he
promised to do all he could to be there. Pray for him this week and
that something will turn up!
I am excited for the upcoming week. On Wednesday, we get to go to the
temple with the departing missionaries. Thursday is Return and Report
for the new missionaries and trainers. Friday is Mission Leadership
Council. Staying busy is always a good thing, but I am really starting
to feel very tired every day. Its amazing that somehow I feel
refreshed and energized from the day to day work. The grace of Jesus
Christ is a real power!
Love ya!
Elder Westover
Monday, March 16, 2015
Dad,
Zeph is progressing great and his baptism is scheduled for April 2nd. That will be his 21st birthday and so he is motivated to really have that fresh start. I am happy for him because he has decided to make this decision and has kept every commitment that has been given to him. Faith is a principle of action and Zeph is willing to put forth his faith and he has seen the blessings come from that. It is great to see the blessings come into his life.
On the other hand, I feel like the mission is on the other side of that. Since September, we have seen a lack of baptisms and just miracles in general. I almost feel like I have let the mission down. I feel like I have done training after training and motivating after motivating and nothing seems to click. I am just frustrated with myself. I love the missionaries and I want to help, I just don't know how. If they could recognize the happiness that comes from being consecrated in the work, they would always choose to work hard. President Riggs has done amazing with continuing to train and help. I follow his example and do the same. I just want to make a difference and feel like I made an impact on individuals, the same way that Jesus Christ did. I would love to hear your advice and thoughts.
Our big news this week is that we have a specialized training with 2 zones each day for 4 days. We will go from 9 to 4 and hopefully the principles taught will really change individuals hearts.
I hope you have a great trip with the scouts and are able to take great pictures. I love you. You are in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Westover
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Dad,
Sorry this is coming to you a little late. We got tied up yesterday so
I had to email at a different time. I'm glad that I can still email
now.
My thoughts have been focused so much on obedience lately. I am
finally realizing that with the ability to make choices, we also have
an option to choose either obedience or disobedience. Every single
person will be affected by the choices they make, no matter how great
or small. If we will choose each day to be obedient to what we know is
right, we will see blessings flow into our life and change will come.
Let me tell you a story about that principle.
Elder Walters and I had been praying to know who needed a visit from
us. When we looked through our LDS Tools, we picked a few names that
we did not know and that we felt would be good to see. The next night
we went and visited a kid named Dennis. We were happy when he opened
the door and it was obvious from the start that there was a lot going
on his life. I was grateful to share with him the knowledge that only
Jesus Christ could really understand what he was going through. He
talked about how he had suicidal thoughts and felt like life was too
big for him. Choices that he had made weighed him down to the point
that he felt like there was no hope. We talked for a while and he
agreed to let us come back and to continue to talk with him. I'm so
grateful that God places people in our life who need us at the right
time.
That is great that Brooks got to speak at church. What a good
experience for him. I also was called upon at the end of church to
fill sometime. The talks had been on Mercy so I continued with that
theme. We all three got to speak from the pulpit. You will have to let
Brooks know.
The weather has been pretty fun. It seems to be getting better from
now on but it hurt a lot of the wards sacrament meetings. I am glad
that the weather will start getting warmer because people will hit the
streets more often. Also, the plan as of now is for me to leave after
my third transfer here. I told President that I would like to go back
to one of my old areas and to white wash and train. He wants me to
white wash a struggling area and train. It will be good to get someone
in after me to be prepared to have President Huntsman come in. My
companion will be here for that first transfer. He is an incredible
missionary.
I hope this week is fantastic and that you are able to get done all
that you need to do. Have fun while doing it. I love you Dad and am
thankful for all that you do.
Love,
Austin
Sorry this is coming to you a little late. We got tied up yesterday so
I had to email at a different time. I'm glad that I can still email
now.
My thoughts have been focused so much on obedience lately. I am
finally realizing that with the ability to make choices, we also have
an option to choose either obedience or disobedience. Every single
person will be affected by the choices they make, no matter how great
or small. If we will choose each day to be obedient to what we know is
right, we will see blessings flow into our life and change will come.
Let me tell you a story about that principle.
Elder Walters and I had been praying to know who needed a visit from
us. When we looked through our LDS Tools, we picked a few names that
we did not know and that we felt would be good to see. The next night
we went and visited a kid named Dennis. We were happy when he opened
the door and it was obvious from the start that there was a lot going
on his life. I was grateful to share with him the knowledge that only
Jesus Christ could really understand what he was going through. He
talked about how he had suicidal thoughts and felt like life was too
big for him. Choices that he had made weighed him down to the point
that he felt like there was no hope. We talked for a while and he
agreed to let us come back and to continue to talk with him. I'm so
grateful that God places people in our life who need us at the right
time.
That is great that Brooks got to speak at church. What a good
experience for him. I also was called upon at the end of church to
fill sometime. The talks had been on Mercy so I continued with that
theme. We all three got to speak from the pulpit. You will have to let
Brooks know.
The weather has been pretty fun. It seems to be getting better from
now on but it hurt a lot of the wards sacrament meetings. I am glad
that the weather will start getting warmer because people will hit the
streets more often. Also, the plan as of now is for me to leave after
my third transfer here. I told President that I would like to go back
to one of my old areas and to white wash and train. He wants me to
white wash a struggling area and train. It will be good to get someone
in after me to be prepared to have President Huntsman come in. My
companion will be here for that first transfer. He is an incredible
missionary.
I hope this week is fantastic and that you are able to get done all
that you need to do. Have fun while doing it. I love you Dad and am
thankful for all that you do.
Love,
Austin
Monday, March 2, 2015
Dad,
It's really hard to believe how fast the time is going. President
Riggs realized Saturday morning that he only had about 120 days until
the end of his mission. He called us together to talk about what we
could do as a mission in those 120 days. To make a special point, we
texted out the MLC and decided to have a meeting at 9:15 Saturday
night. The goal was to do something special that would show the
Mission Leadership Council the sense of urgency we want to create in
the mission.
Once everyone arrived in the Stake Center, we did some opening items
and then split them up in two groups. Elder Walters led one and I the
other. We took them around the building and showed them the picture of
the first vision and the Savior in the garden of gethsemane. We told
the story to each picture and asked, "Did this really happen? If this
really happened, what are you willing to do?"
The point was to bring in them that inner fire to want to share the
gospel. A fire that truly will never die. The spirit was strong and
then we met in the chapel were President talked about a few things. It
was a great meeting and I hope people will leave from there and change
because of it. I know I have set new goals and recommitted my self to
giving it my all.
Something that we feel the mission has lacked is a sense of urgency in
this work. People are content with letting things pass by and not
creating a sense of ownership. How do you create a sense of urgency in
people? We have done exchanges and one on one but still no growth for
the most part. I would love to hear your thoughts about motivation. I
can't imagine trying to motivate an Elders Quorum because I feel at
times they really don't care much. But those are some of the thoughts
I have had of late.
I am glad you are running again! I would love to run with you once I
am home but I won't ever let you beat me anymore!! I have to start
putting you in your proper place! Hahaha Just kiddin. How far are you
running in your runs? Where are you going?
It sounds like some fun times are ahead. I hope you have a great week
and continue to enjoy what you do. I love you and am thankful for all
you do.
Love,
Elder Westover
It's really hard to believe how fast the time is going. President
Riggs realized Saturday morning that he only had about 120 days until
the end of his mission. He called us together to talk about what we
could do as a mission in those 120 days. To make a special point, we
texted out the MLC and decided to have a meeting at 9:15 Saturday
night. The goal was to do something special that would show the
Mission Leadership Council the sense of urgency we want to create in
the mission.
Once everyone arrived in the Stake Center, we did some opening items
and then split them up in two groups. Elder Walters led one and I the
other. We took them around the building and showed them the picture of
the first vision and the Savior in the garden of gethsemane. We told
the story to each picture and asked, "Did this really happen? If this
really happened, what are you willing to do?"
The point was to bring in them that inner fire to want to share the
gospel. A fire that truly will never die. The spirit was strong and
then we met in the chapel were President talked about a few things. It
was a great meeting and I hope people will leave from there and change
because of it. I know I have set new goals and recommitted my self to
giving it my all.
Something that we feel the mission has lacked is a sense of urgency in
this work. People are content with letting things pass by and not
creating a sense of ownership. How do you create a sense of urgency in
people? We have done exchanges and one on one but still no growth for
the most part. I would love to hear your thoughts about motivation. I
can't imagine trying to motivate an Elders Quorum because I feel at
times they really don't care much. But those are some of the thoughts
I have had of late.
I am glad you are running again! I would love to run with you once I
am home but I won't ever let you beat me anymore!! I have to start
putting you in your proper place! Hahaha Just kiddin. How far are you
running in your runs? Where are you going?
It sounds like some fun times are ahead. I hope you have a great week
and continue to enjoy what you do. I love you and am thankful for all
you do.
Love,
Elder Westover
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